THR Colette’s Recovery Thread

[Colette]

@Layla yes my surgeon said that bruising may appear later not least because of taking the anti-coagulant drugs. But that’s by the by, although I had planned to impress my son with the bruising.

My only “worry“ at the moment is that my piriformis might spasm again but I tell myself that I will deal with it when that happens. I can always get some diazepam from my GP after all. Strange though that I had to suggest the use of that to the ward doctor. I wonder what people do who haven’t got the level of medical knowledge I have.

I’m sure there will be ups and downs along the way.

 

[FCBayern]

When I was having some piriformis issues I found that if I realized it was tightening up if I sat on a tennis ball I could get the muscle to release before it got really tight. Might be worth a try @Colette.

 

[Colette]

@FCBayern Thank you. Yes, that’s an effective technique. I even got a selection of massage balls in varying sizes and a foam roller so that I can get really at it. I don’t think I can do it on the new hip though. Only had my surgery on Monday, so the tissues are still sensitive.

 

[FCBayern]

It's definitely a delicate balance early days @Colette. My personal motto is "better living through modern chemistry". If there is a way around pain meds etc. that's always good, but when you need them to heal the fastest and least painful as possible I'm a supporter of using what helps.

 

[Colette]

@FCBayern I absolutely agree with you there. Looking forward to not having to use painkillers but will not push for it either. There is lots of sound advice on the use of painkillers on this site.
I have been taking a lot of them since my fall four years ago, the painkiller industry will be taking a hit when I come off them in the next few months.

 

[Colette]

Feeling a little bit more tired today after a lot of activity yesterday, so having rest day in bed and having cuddles with my dogs. Had a shower and washed my hair first though which made me feel a lot better. The wound is rather itchy today which if German folklore and my late grandmas are to be believed Isa good sign because it is healing. Not soreness, no heat just a little voice going “please scratch me now”.
Also had a bit of a cry. I’m feeling rather useless because my partner is doing everything and he normally doesn’t even live here (and it’s a long-standing issue for me to try to generate a warm fuzzy feeling of self-worth by making myself useful). The cry dealt with that bit, for the moment at least. So time for a sleep now while partner is out for a run.

 

[Layla]

I think a shower and fresh clean hair calls for some cuddles with your furry friends and maybe a nap if you’re feeling tired today. Snooze away as our body does its best healing while we sleep.

Try icing the itchy wound and see if it helps numb the itch.

Early recovery can be emotional, especially when you’re an independent person and suddenly have to depend upon others. Just remeber it’s only temporary as is the energy drain and post op blues you may be experiencing a bit of.

I hope you can sneak in a cozy nap today and feel refreshed afterward.

Energy drain for THRs

Someone recently said something that gave me this idea to demonstrate what post-op hippies are always experiencing: we called it an energy drain also known as fatigue or acute tiredness. All perfect descriptions! And I thought of these illustrations demonstrating how much of your body's energy...

bonesmart.org

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it

Post op blues is feeling depressed, weepy, nervy, shaky, fearful of the future, anxious, overwhelmed by what is happening to you, convinced it's never going to get any better and finally, uttering that most intense of all cries "I wish I never had this done!" It arises out of a variety of...

bonesmart.org

@Colette

 

[Colette]

I had a whole day in bed (excepting toilet breaks and a little bit of tidying my bedroom) with only the one trip downstairs for dinner. It was lovely.

I had a bit of a scare last night. As I have complex PTSD, I occasionally get bad nightmares and often in these I end up jumping up in bed. I did that last night which is not a happy thing to do on a freshly replaced hip. Thankfully, I didn’t do any damage apart from a temporary lower back tightening. It was more the shock of doing it and what might have happened. Its very difficult to sleep after these nightmares anyway but I was so worried about damaging the hip that I hardly slept for the rest of the night and when I did only very lightly.

As it turns out everything is fine and I’m still progressing swiftly. BTW I haven’t done any exercises today but kept icing and elevating because I just wanted to make sure everything calms down. caught up on some sleep during the day and hoping for a better night now.

Got my follow-on appointment in the post yesterday for mid-January. Still so pleased I had the hip done. My chronic neck and shoulder pain have gone along with the permanent headache. I had such an easy time with this, so it’s probably easy to say, but keep hanging in there, it will get better.

EDIT: Probably should also say that I am taking the full prescribed dosage of painkillers and intend to go on doing so. It’ll be great not to have to take them but whilst this is healing I will do what is needed to stay ahead of the pain.

 

[FCBayern]

Unless you twisted in an unusual manner when jumping up you're not likely to hurt the implant, it's pretty tough, but those soft tissues . Overall it seems like you are doing well @Colette. Hope tomorrow is good as well.

 

[Colette]

Yes you’re right @FCBayern. I’m doing great and very grateful for it. It was more the fear that I could’ve fallen out of bed, etc. I jumped straight up into crouch but there was no twisting. To be honest the fact that I managed to do that speaks volumes for the new hip. I didn’t realise I could do that (again). The one time it happened pre-op in the last year I was just floundering on my back and really pulled a few muscles badly. Needed to see a sports masseur to get moving again.

 

[Colette]

First walk outside walking 90m to the local pharmacy and back again. Felt really good, but predictably tired now. Muscular pain last night was disturbing my sleep and had a couple of cramping episodes. Might need to have a look at supplementing some magnesium and/or calcium. What do you guys think?

 

[FCBayern]

I know @Layla is a big proponent of magnesium.

 

[Layla]

It may be worth a try, but always wise to check with your physician first.

Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

I've also heard of drinking 4-6 oz of Q-Tonic before bed which is a water that contains quinine. Read the label as some of the waters do not contain quinine, but quinine flavoring instead.

Magnesium Glycinate is less likely to cause laxative effects.

 

[Colette]

Thanks @Layla. I’ll look into it.

 

[Colette]

Yesterday, I spent pretty much all day in bed sleeping with trips to the bathroom and the downstairs kitchen in between. I was achy and itchy all over. Icing and painkillers are helping though.

I’m starting to struggle a bit with not sleeping through. At the moment the longest stretch of sleep I’m getting appears to be 2 to 2.5 hours. Usually because I’ve stiffened up and need to change position. I’m clicking about 5 hrs sleep per night when I usually need a minimum of 7. I’m sure it’ll pass but it’s making me feel a bit weepy at present.

Unless the weepiness is due to my period which was due a week before the THR and has not yet materialised. Perhaps it’s finally happening? I’m definitely not pregnant so it must have something to do with the stress of the operation. Just out of curiosity; do any of you ladies have any experience with this?

It has occurred to me on a number of occasions that getting a new hip is a bit like having a baby.

 

[Mojo333]

@Colette
So sorry you are having trouble sleeping...it certainly is a struggle these first weeks and I certainly had this problem for quite some time after my surgery.
I slept in my recliner most of the first weeks and even after...Oft times, after a few hours of attempting to sleep in my bed...I would have to get up and walk the kinks out and get back to my chair for a nap.

Early days, my friend, so hang in there.
All temporary.
Certainly stress can cause aninterruption with your menstrual cycle and then...the trauma of the surgery.

Irregularities with sleep cycle, hormones, and pain meds are the perfect storm resulting in precipitation/weepiness.

You have been through a major surgery and are doing well ... These are the tough bits and it does get better.
Keep the faith...you will love your "baby" hip in the end.
Hugsxxxx

 

[Colette]

Thanks @Mojo333. It’s very helpful having somewhere to record the changes throughout this and get your expert advice.

To be honest, I’m actually feeling really good. Everything is so much better than it was pre-op. This hip is the best thing that has happened to me.

 

[Mojo333]

Your positive attitude is your best recovery tool.
You've got this.
Sharing the hard parts and the transformations that come about on this recovery journey is what makes this site so special, in my opinion.

I appreciated all of the folks here who commiserated, encouraged, advised and comforted me.

Onward and upward....

 

[Schaargi]

Hi @Collette! Just a thought about the itching and cramping. Are you sure you are drinking enough water? Some of that might be slight dehydration. Hope all is well!

 

[Colette]

Hi @Collette! Just a thought about the itching and cramping. Are you sure you are drinking enough water? Some of that might be slight dehydration. Hope all is well!

Thank you. That’s a good thought and had not occurred to me. I drink about 3-4 litres of water a day, so I don’t think it’s dehydration. In the first two days after the op it was considerably less but I’m back up to usual levels since I’m back home.